Our Club History

A brief history of The Irish Terrier Club of New York.

Founded by eight Irish Terrier enthusiasts meeting on the afternoon of Sunday May 12, 1957 to establish the ITCNY electing Michael Gately its first president. With the passage of time we have lost all of our founding members. The last was Joyce Wilson in 2019. She will be remembered for her countless contributions to the Club and Breed during her 62 year membership..

The club held its first Plan “A” Match July 24, 1960 in Port Washington, New York at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Murray Altchuler, where Frank Brumby judged an entry of eleven. The second Plan “A” match took place May 14, 1961 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cruse Honey in Wayne, New Jersey with an entry of sixteen.

The success of those two matches cleared the way for the Club’s first Specialty Show, held in conjunction with the Westbury Kennel Association Show at the Phipps Estate, Old Westbury, New York October 1, 1961. Thomas H. Carruthers judged an entry of sixteen. The Club continued to hold its specialty show in conjunction with the Westbury Kennel Association until it was moved to the Westchester Kennel Club show which is held in Bridgewater, New Jersey annually, in mid September.

Since its inception the Club has regularly offered trophies for Winners Dog and Winners Bitch at the Irish Terrier Club of America Annual Specialty at the Montgomery Kennel Club All Terrier Show currently held in Blue Bell, PA. on the grounds of Montgomery County Community College in October. The Club also has presented modest trophies and supported entries at about a dozen annual shows including the Celtic Classic Dog Shows in York, PA., Garden State All Terrier Club, Trenton and Bucks Kennel Club Dog Shows in May. The Club has held several additional match shows in cooperation with such groups as Bronx County Kennel Club and the Ramapo New Jersey Kennel Club.

The Club sponsored a stripping and grooming session in the fall of 1968 and a show and obedience handling seminar, and again in the spring of 1969 under the tutelage of the late Robert Clyde, Owner Breeder Handler and AKC Judge The ITCNY continues to hold a yearly Grooming Seminar for members during July in the New York City area.

The ITCNY offers events throughout the year to members and guests. The ITCNY is open to persons in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of the club including: “to encourage and promote quality in Pure Bred Irish Terriers and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection”

From our modest beginnings of eight members the ITCNY has a membership boasts members from the Greater New York area, Mid Atlantic, Europe and both the Mid-West and West Coast.

Inquiries concerning the club may be directed to the club via email in our Contact US section.

So if you are lucky enough to share your life with one of these “red haired daredevils” or if you are interested in information about the Irish Terrier you may contact Breeder Referral or Rescue on the drop down menu on our home page.

The Irish Terrier Club of New York recalls with fondness, gratitude, and a touch of humor, the personalities of its members and dogs who contributed to our first 6 decades of history.